Concrete conveyor

ABSTRACT

A conveyor mechanism particularly for conveying concrete mix from one place to a place of use. An elongated and movable support frame of unique design is provided and serves several functions, including support of the conveyor mechanism and variable adjustment for the idlers supporting a belt conveyor, and it also includes enclosed chambers for cables, drive chains, and the like. The frame has a hopper at one end for receiving relatively large quantities of concrete. A belt conveyor is movably carried on the frame and moves the concrete from the hopper to the desired place of use. A plow is movably mounted on the frame and the path of travel of the concrete mix carried on the conveyor is intercepted by the plow and is diverted laterally from the longitudinal axis of the conveyor to the place of desired use. The belt conveyor is supported generally in a Ushape, by a unique structure, between the hopper and the plow; at the plow the belt is desirably moved into a flattened condition to provide a proper discharge for the concrete mix.

ljnite States Patent {541 CONCRETE CONVEYOR 22 Claims, 15 Drawing Figs.

[521 us.c1 198/185, 198/204,198/192,214/17 511 161.01 ..B65g57/00,B65gl5/00 50 FieldofSearch ..198/52,53, 185, 192, 208, 88, 92, 89, 204;280/432 [56] Rem-6666s Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,109,925 3/1938Mitchell 198/192 3,100,042 8/1963 LoPresti... 198 192 3,133,626 5 1964Kidd 198/192 3,199,655 8/1965 Frazel 198/53 3,348,663 10/1967 Schnieder198/53 3,414.115 12/1968 Gates 198 208 3,446,371 5/1969 Nicolas...198/188 1,963,099 6/1934 Robins '198/192 2,393,642 1 1946 Kowalski280/432 2,988,202 6 1961 Pompel 198/204 3,259,227 7/l966 Steinmetz198/192 3,292,772 12/1908 Rice [98/208 FOREIGN PATENTS 566.008 12/ l 944Great Britain l98/2l4 OTHER REFERENCES Morgan Manufacturing Company,BULLETIN ON SIDE DISCHARGE CONVEYOR MODELS PS & CRS received in theScientific Library, Mar. 27, 1967, US. Patent Ofiice PrimaryExaminer-Richard E. Aegerter Attorney-Molinare, Allegretti, Newitt &Witcoif ABSTRACT: A conveyor mechanism particularly for conveyingconcrete mix from one place to a place of use. An elongated and movablesupport frame of unique design is provided and serves several functions,including support of the conveyor mechanism and variable adjustment forthe idlerssupporting a belt conveyor, and it also includes enclosedchambers for cables, drive chains, and the like. The frame has a hopperat one end for receiving relatively large quantities of concrete. A beltconveyor is movably carried ori the frame and moves the concrete fromthe hopper to the desired place of use. A plow is movably mounted on theframe and the path of travel of the concrete mix carriedon the conveyoris intercepted by the plow and is diverted laterally from thelongitudinal axis of the conveyor to the place of desired use. The beltconveyor is supported generally in a U-shape, by a unique structure,between the hopper and the plow; at the plow the belt is desirably movedinto a flattened condition to provide a proper discharge for theconcrete mix.

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SHEET 5 BF 9 PATENTED JUL 6 I97! SHEET 6 BF 9 PATENTED JUL 6l97l SHEET 70F 9 fizz/e nfor Rober/ F002 (IGNCIRIE'IE CUNVEYOR BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION Field of the Invention and Description of the Prior Art Thisinvention relates to a conveyor mechanism particularly useful forconveying a sernifluid mass, such as concrete mix, from one location toa spaced location where the concrete is used.

The use of belt-type conveyors for transporting semifluid materials suchas concrete mix, gravel, sand, and the like, have been known and usedfor several years. Typical of such concrete conveyors are those found inOury et al. US. Pat. No. 3,151,732, Oury U.S. Pat. No. 3,171,534, andOury Pat. No. 3,203,538.

All of such known prior art concrete conveyor structures, however, havebeen so constructed as to convey the material from one end of a conveyorbelt all the way to the discharge end where the material is droppedlongitudinally off the end of the conveyor belt. It has been commonpractice to use those conveyor structures in tandem so that the materialfrom one conveyor is discharged onto the conveyor belt of a secondconveyor at a point intermediate its opposite ends from where thematerial is carried to the discharge end where it is droppedlongitudinally off the end of the belt. Although this system has provento be quite satisfactory, it is also desirable to provide a concreteconveyor construction wherein the discharge point for the concrete mixon the conveyor may be readily moved to a different position. This maybe accomplished by use of a movable plow.

The use of movable plows with a belt conveyor mechanism has been knownfor some time. The Lundbye, US. Pat. No. 2,099,071 and Behrens et al.U.S. Pat. No. 3,156,170 both show paving machines wherein movable plowsare so used. The Lundbye patent shows a belt supported in a U-shape andthe plow scrapes the U-shaped belt. The Behrens patent shows a flattenedbelt for improved discharge. It is preferred to use a U-shape belt toprevent the concrete from falling off the sides of the belt duringtransfer from a receiving point to a discharge point. A flattened beltat the plow is preferred, however, to provide a substantially cleanwiping of the belt. Paving machines, such as shown by Lundbye andBehrens, generally do-not convey the concrete for long distances and atrelatively high speeds, such as 1,000 feet per minute. Because of thelong distances and high speeds used in the elongated concrete conveyormechanisms shown by the Oury patents, movable plows have not generallybeen used therewith. Because of the high speed required for portableconcrete conveyors and the necessity to wipe the conveyor beltsubstantially clean of concrete, the use of plows for concrete has notbeen fully satisfactory. It would therefore be highly desirable toprovide a movable plow on a conveyor moving at high speeds andaccomplish a complete and thorough cleaning and wiping of the concretefrom the belt, while still avoiding the damaging wear characteristicsthat would normally be attendant to this type of scraping action.

Known conveyors for transporting concrete over long distances also havevarious other drawbacks and disad' vantages. Supporting structures usedfor such conveyors have a tendency to collect the semiliquid concretebeing moved on the conveyor, which material hardens in place on the conveyor. This creates an unsightly condition and there also in an adverseeffect on the operation of the mechanism such as: telescoping of theconveyor, travelling of the plow wheels on the conveyor frame, andrubbing of hardened concrete against the conveyor belt itself. Thishardened concrete also adds to the already heavy equipment and theequipment becomes in creasingly difficult to move from place to place.Generally, support structures or frames for elongated conveyors have notbeen specifically designed for their intended purpose. Prior art supportframes have not provided the desired adjustability, strength, whilebeing light in weight, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an important object of thisinvention to provide an improved apparatus for conveying material, suchas concrete mix, wherein many disadvantages of the prior art devices aresubstantially avoided.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a mobile conveyorapparatus for conveying or transporting concrete mix from one locationto another location, wherein the discharge point of the concrete fromthe conveyor may be readily changed from one place to another on theconveyor and concrete is discharged without causing separation of theconcrete aggregate from the fluid portion of the mix.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved conveyorapparatus for concrete wherein the apparatus is characterized by itssimplicity and economy of construction, manufacture, and operation.

It is still a further object to provide a concrete conveyor assemblywhich has an improved frame specifically designed for use in concreteconveyor assemblies.

It is also another object to provide an improved frame for an elongatedconveyor assembly wherein the frame is designed to avoid concretebuildup, is strong but light in weight, and provides adjustability forthe length of the conveyor and for the conveyor belt supports.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improvedconveyor apparatus having hollow upper and lower frame sections whichact as passageways for electric cables, drive chains, and the like.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an elongated andmobile concrete conveyor apparatus having a movable metering hopper forreceiving relatively small surges of concrete from the feeding sourceand having a spaced concrete discharge point which is substantiallyimmovable along the longitudinal axis of the conveyor, while theconcrete is being transported to the discharge point.

It is yet a further object of this invention to provide improvedassemblies for supporting the conveyor belt relative to the frame, theassemblies cooperating with the frame structure to be readily moved fromone support position to another.

Further purposes and objects of the foregoing invention will appear asthe specification proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the hopper end of my improvedconcrete conveying apparatus showing the concrete receiving hopper andthe movable plow mounted on the conveyor frame;

FIG. IA is a side elevational view showing the outer end of the conveyormechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2of FIG. 1A, showing the wheel frame used for transporting the apparatusof FIG. 1 along a horizontal surface;

FIG. 3 is an interior, side view of the cross-support members for theconveyor support frame of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3,showing details of the cross-support frame;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 ofFIG. 1, showing the hopper for receiving concrete;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged transverse, cross-sectional view taken along theline 66, showing the internal structure of the hopper;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 7-7 ofFIG. 1, showing the plow for diverting the concrete from its normal pathof travel to a place of use;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the plow shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a detailed cross-sectional view taken along the line 9--9 ofFIG. 7, showing the preferred shape of the plow structure for scrappingthe concrete conveyor belt;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the support frame of FIG.1 with the concrete receiving hopper removed, particularly showing thedrive mechanism for the conveyor belt;

H6. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 11 ll of HG. litshowing the conveyor belt mounting structure,

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the structure used for mounting thebelt drive motor on the support frame;

FlG. 13 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view of the end of theconveyor frame which is opposite to that of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line 14-14 of FIG. 13,showing the mounting for the idler roller of the belt conveyor; and

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 15-15ofFlG. 14.

DESCRlPTlON OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 1n the description of theapparatus shown in in the drawings, for purposes of simplicity, theapparatus will be described as being for the conveying of concrete mix.However, the apparatus may be used for conveying other materials,although the principal use of the mechanism is intended to be for thetransportation of a concrete mix from one location to a second locationspaced at a substantial distance from the first location.

Referring to FlGS. 1 and 1A, my improved concrete conveying apparatusgenerally 20, includes a support frame A, a hopper B for receiving thefluid concrete mix, a conveyor C for transporting the concrete mix fromthe hopper B, and a plow D for removing concrete from the conveyor C anddiverting it laterally off of the frame A. Each of these principalstructural components will be described in detail.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1, 1A, 3, 4, and 11, each support frameA includes a pair of spaced, elongated, horizontal side members 22 whichare interconnected by a plurality of cross-supprt members, generally 24,seen best in FIGS. 3 and 4. The side members 22 each include an upperportion 26 and a lower portion 28. A substantially planar intermediate,integral portion 30 interconnects the upper and lower portions 26 and28. The upper portion 26 and the lower portion 28 both have across-sectional shape which permits construction by extrusiontechniques, preferably by extrusion of aluminum. The upper and lowerportions 26 and 28 both are of a hollow construction to provide forminimum weight, but yet provide maximum torsional strength.

The upper hollow portion 26 of each of the side members 22 includes anupwardly and inwardly inclined wall portion 32 which extends from theupper end of the upright planar portion 30..The wall 32 terminates withan outwardly extending upper lip 34 which cooperates with slidable frameend portions 36 and 38 to permit sliding movement therebetween. Thestructure of the frame ends 36 and 38 will be described hereinafter ingreater detail.

A slanted or tapered and outwardly extending wall 40 ex tends from thewall 32 from a point spaced downwardly from the upper lip 34. The wall40 terminates in an upright, outer wall 42. An intermediate upright wall44 extends downwardly from the central portion of the slanted wall 40and terminates at a bottom wall 46, which interconnects the outerupright wall 42 and the intermediate upright wall 44. The bottom wall 46has an elongated continuous open chamber 48 defined therein forreceiving a drive chain for the plow D. A substantially horizontal wall50 extends outwardly from the planar portion 30 to the central portionof the intermediate wall 44. The horizontal wall 50 provides structuralstability for the outwardly projecting hollow upper section 26. Thehollow portions 52 and 54 defined in the upper section 26 may also beused for receiving electrical cords or the like to avoid contaminationwith concrete or the like or to avoid becoming tangled with otherequipment. The upper hollow section 26, as will be hereinafter describedin greater detail, is a load supporting structure which has maximumstrength and durability and yet provides a lightweight structure.

The hollow lower section 28 of each side member 22 includes a horizontalwall 56 extending outwardly from the planar portion 30. The wall 56 iscontinuous with a curved outer wall 58 which extends along the outerside of the hollow section 28. A bottom horizontal wall 60 interconnectsthe planar section 30 with the curved wall 58. The bottom wall 60includes an open upright chamber 64 adjacent the planar portion 30. Theupright chamber 64 receives guide portions of the slidable frame endportions 36 and 38 for sliding movement therebetween. The hollow lowersection portion 28 is a load bearing member and the structure providesfor minimum weight with maximum strength.

Advantageously, the upper and lower side frame sections 26 and 28 areextruded of aluminum in two separate pieces and are welded together atthe central section of the planar por tion 30, as best shown in FIG. 11.However, the frame can be extruded in one piece. Further advantages ofthe described structure are that the upper surfaces of the upper andlower side frame portions 26 and 28 are generally tapered or angleddownwardly so that material being moved on the conveyor, such as wetconcrete mix or the like, coming in contact with it will drip or falloff. By this structure, there is no excessive buildup of hardenedconcrete on the structure to cause the apparatus 20 to becomeexcessively heavy and thereby to cause difficulty in moving theapparatus 20 from place to place.

A plurality of cross frame members, generally 24, rigidly interconnectthe side frame members 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the crossmembers 24include an upright channel member 66 having outwardly extending flanges68 through which bolts are passed for securing the channel 66 in anupright position to the inner surfaces of each of the side members 22. Across member 70, of hollow construction, passes between each pair ofchannel members 66. The cross support 70 is-welded to the lower ends ofeach channel member 66 so that a pair of upright channel members 66 anda horizontal cross support 70 comprise an integral frame unit forinterconnecting the side members 22. Any desired number of the crossbeamassemblies 24 may be used, depending upon the overall length of theapparatus 20 in order to provide the desired structural rigidity. It isimportant for each crossbeam 70 to have an upper'wall 72 which isslanted downwardly so that there will be no buildup of concrete mixthereon to adversely affect the weight or operation of the apparatus 20and thereby its mobility.

In order to provide the desired mobility of the apparatus 20 so that itmay be readily moved from one location to the other, a wheel assembly 74is provided at the hopper end 76 of the elongated frame A and anotherwheel assembly 78 is provided at the opposite end or outer end 80 of theframe A. The wheel assemblies 74 and 78 are each of substantially thesame construction so that is will be necessary to describe only one ofthe assemblies in detail.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 2, the wheel assembly 78 at the outer end 80of the frame A is shown. The assembly 78 includes substantially anH-shaped horizontal frame 32 carries upper guide rollers 84 and lowerguide rollers 86. The frame 82 includes a crossbeam 88 and a pair ofintegrally connected side beams 90. The opposite or outer ends of eachof the side beams 90 fixedly carry journal members 92 which rotatablycarry horizontally positioned lower rollers 86, which engage and ridealong the lower sides of the bottom walls 60 of the hollow lowersections 28 of the frame side members 22. The outer ends of each of theside beams 90 also include upright brackets 96 generally positionedabove the lower journals 92. The upper ends of the brackets 96 fixedlycarry journals 98 which are inclined upwardly and inwardly toward thesupport frame A. The journals 98 rotatably carry upper rollers 84 whichride along the upper side of the curved outer walls 58 of each of thehollow sections 28 of the side members 22. The rollers 84 and 86 therebycooperate to accomplish longitudinal adjustment between the wheelassemblies 74 and 78 to a desired position relative to the elongatedsupport frame A. The mounting of the roller supports 84 and 86 alsoadvantageously permits the movable plow D to pass back and forth acrossthe top side of the wheel assembly 78.

A horizontal elongated wheel support beam 100 is pivotally connected tothe underside of the H frame 82 by a swivel connection 102. The swivelconnection 102 permits the angular adjustment of the wheels 104 to bevaried relative to the longitudinal axis of the frame A so that theapparatus may be moved in any desired direction. Wheel support arms 106are pivoted at 1113 to the opposite outer ends of the wheel support beam1110. The lower ends of the arms 106 have wheel support brackets 107fixedly mounted thereon. Wheels 104 are rotatably carried on axes 110which extend laterally from the bracket supports M17. The upper ends 112of the arms 106 are forked and straddle the opposite vertical sides ofthe wheel support beam 100. The lower inner side of each arm 106 and theunderside of the support beam each include a support bracket 114 forreceiving a turnbuckle 116. The provision of the turnbuckles 116 foreach set of wheels makes it possible for an operator to vary therelative adjusted height of the wheel support frame A. Advantageouslythe wheel is aligned with the central axis of the arm 106.

My particular design of wheel frame 78 has many advantages. lt permitsadjustability for the height of the entire conveyor, it provides foradjustability of the distance between conveyor supports at opposite endsof the conveyor, and by varying the relative height of each frame 78,the angle of the conveyor relative to its supporting surface can bevaried. Furthermore, the movable plow D is constructed to freely passover the wheel assemblies.

A drive or gear motor reducer set 118 is rigidly mounted on a bracket107 on one side of each wheel assembly 74 and 78. The drive set 118turns a sprocket 120 which engages a drive chain 122. The drive chain122 in turn engages a sprocket 124 which is fixedly secured to an axle110. In this way, the drive set 118 provides powerized rotation for onewheel 104 of each of the assemblies 74 and 78, so that the conveyorapparatus 20 can be power driven along the ground to a place of desireduse.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the details of the hopper assembly Bwill be described in detail. The hopper assembly B includes a pair ofupright support plate members 126 which are rigidly mounted to the upperportion of the slidable end portion 36 on the frame A. Pin members (notshown) are provided for securing the support members 126, in a fixedrelative position, to the side frame members 22. The upright supportplates 126 have outwardly and downwardly inclined lower portions 128which are coextensive with the outer lips 130 of the slidable endportion 36. A horizontal angle iron 132 is welded to the inner surfaceof the upright support plate 126 and also to the upper lip 130 of theslidable end portion 36 to provide for a rigid mounting of the hopperassembly B upon the end portion 36.

The hopper B has an enlarged or wide open upper end 134 and a restrictedor narrow open lower end 136 which are defined by upwardly and outwardlyextending sidewalls 138, rear wall 140, and front wall 142.

In order to adjust the quantity of concrete mix, which is normally abovea 4 inch slump and passes upon a conveyor belt 144 below the open lowerend 136, an adjustable gate 146 is slidably mounted on the outer surfaceof the front wall 142. As shown in F105. 5 and 6, an enlargedrectangular opening 148 is provided in the front wall 142. The opening148 is normally closed by the rigid gate 146. The gate 146 is heldagainst the surface of the front wall 142 by a plurality of supportassemblies 156 which are mounted in pairs on the front wall 142. Thesupport assemblies 150 generally comprise short bolt members 152 whichare rigidly spaced outwardly from the front wall 142 a distance equal tothe thickness of the gate 146. Spacers 154 are mounted between themembers 152 and the wall 142 and are secured in place by bolts 156. Thegate 146 is thereby slidably received between the front wall 142 and themember 152.

The vertical adjustment of the gate on the front wall 142 isaccomplished by a rod support 158 which is slidably carried by the gate146. The gate 146 has a rigid hollow horizontal sleeve 160 secured toits front surface by a bracket 162. The sleeve 160 slidably receives therod support 158. The outer ends of the elongated rod support 158 engagethe horizontally aligned recesses 164 defined along each of the front orforward edges of the upright support members 126. The support assembliesthereby cooperate to maintain the gate 146 against the wall 142 whilethe rod support 158 and recesses 164 cooperate to maintain the gate 146in desired vertical position relative to the opening 148 in the frontwall 142.

The concrete mix passing from the open lower end 136 of the hopper B tothe conveyor belt 144 is guided onto the belt 144 so that substantiallyall the mix is received on the belt and there is relatively little, ifany, spilling of material. The rear tapered wall 140 includes asubstantially upright portion extending from the open end 136 downwardlyto a position immediately above the upper surface of the conveyor belt144. The opposite sides of the open lower end 136 are provided withflexible guide members 168 supported on opposite sides of the opening136. The flexible guides 168, constructed of a relatively heavy sheetrubber material or the like, are positioned over the upper surface ofthe conveyor belt 144, which is supported in a substantially U-shapedposition immediately below the hopper B. Each of the flexible guides 168are secured to support plates 170, which extend forwardly from the frontwall 142 and which are rigidly secured thereto, by welding to barmembers 172. The support plates 170 are rigidly interconnected at theirouter ends by an inverted U- shaped support member 174, which is weldedto the outer end of each of the flexible guide support plates 170. Thus,the rear vertical guide 166 and the side flexible guides 168 cooperateto guide substantially all of the concrete mix from within the hopper Bto the upper surface of the U-shaped conveyor belt 144.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 10-15, details of the conveyor assemblyC will be described. The conveyor belt 144 is a continuous beltconstructed of a relatively heavy, flexible durable material commonlyused for conveying concrete mix or the like. One end of the continuousbelt 144 passes around a drive roller 176 rotatably mounted under theslidable hopper end portion 36 while the other end of the continuousbelt 144 passes around an idler roller 178 which is rotatably carried bythe slidable end portion 38 at the outer end of the frame A. Scrapermembers (not shown) may be provided to clean the belt after concrete isdischarged therefrom. It is important that the rollers 176 and 178 becarried by the slidable frame end members 36 and 38 so as to provide foradjustment of the belt 144 to the desired tension.

Each of the frame end portions 36 and 38 are generally constructed inthe same manner. Each end portion comprises a continuous rigid planarrear wall 180 which interconnects a pair of rigid planar sidewalls 182.The sidewalls 182 are slidably carried interior of the side members 22of the frame A. The sidewalls 182 include the upper lip 130 whichslidably encompasses or engages the lip or flange 34 on each upperhollow portion 26 on the side members 22 and also include a lowerupright lip 184 which slidably engages the continuous upright chamber 64of each bottom wall 60 of the lower hollow section 28 of the sidemembers 22. As shown in FIG. 13, the slidable outer end portion 38 maybe fixed relative to the frame A (similar to fixing the hopper B on theframe 20) by inserting a pin 188 through an aperture provided in thesidewalls 182 and in a selected aperture 190, a plurality of which arestaggered along the upper portions of the side members 22 to give minuteadjustment, as shown best in FIG. 13.

The combination of the side frames 22 and end portions 36 and 38 beinglocated above the belt protects the belt and thereby the concretecarried thereon from wind interference.

The outer wall 180 of the slidable member 36, as shown best in FIGS. 10and 12, has support sleeves 192 mounted thereon, as by bolting, forcarrying the driveor gear motor reducer set 194 which drives the driveroller 176 of the conveyor belt 144. The drive set 194 has a supportplate 196 secured to its upper side. A pair of sleeves 198 are securedto and extend inwardly from the support plate 196. The hollow sleeves198 slidably receive rigid mounting pins 200 which are slidably carriedin the hollow mounting sleeves. As shown in MG. 112, an integral arm24112 extends at right angles to the main body of each pin iii hen thearm 2ft); is turned to the downward position, the arm Elli is trappedbetween the bracket support i192 and a stop member LEM- which is securedto the outer wail H89. in this position, the pin is received by thesleeve 1% so as to lock the drive assembly in piace to the slidablemember 36. When the pin is moved to the raised position and withdrawninto the hollow pocket defined in the stop member 2041, the pins Ziliiare released from engagement with the sleeves llhti so that the driveset lli d may be removed from the slidable member Thus, a simplemounting structure is provided for removably carrying the motor assembly1194 on the frame A.

The drive set W4 rotates a sprocket th which is fixed to a motor shaft2M3. The sprocket 23th, in turn, engages a drive chain 209 which engagesa sprocket 2W fixedly secured to a pulley assembly 2112. The pulleyassembly M2 is rotatably carried by journal members 2M secured to theinner surfaces of the sidewalls T82. of the slidable member 36. Thedrive roller 17s, through the drive motor ll l -i, sprockets Ella and2M), pulley assembly 2112, and the drive chain 26 9, drives the beltconveyor M4 at a desired speed. in order to adjust the tension on thedrive chain MW, a threaded member 2118 has its inner end abutting theouter wall ilililil of the slidablc member 36. lo this way, the relativeposition of the drive set llE d may be pivoted about the pivot mountingof the drive set on the support pins Ztltl. The rear wall will of theslidable member as also has apertures 112th therein to permit thepassage therethrough of the drive chain 2%.

The conveyor beltlldd is positioned on the frame A to facilitate themounting and removal of the conveyor belt M41. The mounting of the idlerroller lliti relies upon the tension of the belt lldl for securing theroller llYb to the slidable end 33. Referring to H653. llEl-li5, theidler roller T78 is rigidly mounted upon a shaft 222. The idler shaft222 is rotatably received at its opposite ends in roller bearings 226which in turn are received in semiannular support members 226 mounted onthe inside of the slidable end 38. The semiannular supports 2% receivethe inner sides of the roller bearings 2243 so that the longitudinaltension of the conveyor belt ilMl pulls the bearings 22d and shaft 222into tight engagement with the semiannular supports 2%. As the tensionis relieved on the belt M4, the roller bearings and the shaft 222 andidler roller 178 are readily separated from the slidable end portion 38.By removing the roller T78, the belt M4 may be easily handled forrepair, cleaning, adjustment, or the like. This structure alsofacilitates mounting ofa new belt M4 on the apparatus 2d. The belt M4 isjoined together after being placed on the apparatus and by the describedstructure the operator can work with maximum stack in the belt and yetit is simple to adjust the belt to the desired tension.

Hydraulic adjusting apparatus, generally 232i}, is mounted on thesupport frame A between the side members 122 and is rigidly connected toa bracket 23% which is secured to the slidable end portion as, as shownin HS. id. The hydraulic apparatus 232% comprises a hydraulic cylindercarried by a frame support (not shown having a piston rod 123d extendingoutwardly therefrom. The piston rod 135d is fixed to the bracket 23ft.After the belt :lld has been loosely positioned on the apparatus and ithas been passed around the drive roller 17d and idler roller il't'i, thehydraulic apparatus 22% mechanically drives the slidabie end member asoutwardly in a longitudinal direction so as to apply powcrized tensionto the belt. When the desired tension has been applied to the belt, apin 2% is placed into suitable apertures on opposite sides of theslidable member 365 and the pins 23s are received in two of theapertures W lt on the side members 22, one on the top and one on thebottom, thereby locking the slid able end 36 in the desired position.

The operating portion of the conveyor belt Md is generally supported ina U-shape so that semifluid material, such as concrete mix, does notfall from the belt conveyor Md. As

s seen most clearly in H6. ii, the operating or conveying portion of thebelt M43 is supported at a piurality of places along the entire lengthof the frame A by multiple roller assemblies 238. Each roller assembly2% comprises a central, substantially horizontal roller for supportingthe central portion of the belt, and a pair of upwardly and outwardlyslanted side support rollers 2 m. The side rollers 24d) cooperate withthe lower roller ZdZ to define the desired U-shape for carrying theconcrete mix in the belt Md. The horizontal roller 242 is rotatablycarried on a horizontal shaft 244 and the side rollers 24th arerotatably carried on tapered shafts 246 which are portions of U-shapedsupports 247. The second upright legs 249 of each support 2 87 arenonrigidly carried within an aperture provided in the upper ends of theframe side members 22. Hairpins 2453i pass through the upper ends ofupright legs 2 19 for securement thereof to the frame A. The bightportion of each support 247 is welded rigidly to a stub shaft 251, eachof which is nonrigidly interconnected to the horizontal shaft 244i bychain link members 2.56). Each roller assembly 238, as described, isflexibly or nonrigiclly mounted on the frame so as to resist abuseduring operation of this unit. by the described structure for the rollerassembly 238, when the belt conveyor Md moves up along one of theangular rollers 24% because of misalignment, the idler roller will takea natural cant in the direction of the belt. This cant creates adirectional force which induces the belt M4) to move into the center ofthe idler assembly 23%, thereby providing a self-adjusting feature. Whenthe idler assembly 2353 and belt 11 are operating properly, the weightof the concrete holds the diagonal idlers in the proper position andsubstantially no loss of drive power for the conveyor results.

Advantageously, each of the slanted rollers has an enlarged circularupper end portion. A cap 253 is also preferably provided to protect theinternal bearings 255 from contamination. The enlarged upper endportion, when contacting the upper edge of the belt M 3, causes theroller assembly 238 to cant forward so only the enlarged bell-shapedportion contacts the belt edge. As the roller revolves, the belt ispulled in tighter to the bell section. With the roller canted in thisdirection, the belt cannot continue its upward movement and the cant hasa downward directing force on the belt.

Horizontal return idlers 252 are mounted below the idler assemblies 23band support the conveyor belt M41 in its return movement to the hopperB. The return idlers 252 are resiliently mounted by securement of theouter ends of the idler shafts 254i to support rods 256 through chainlinks 258. The upper ends of the rods 256 are secured to suitableaperturcs in the frame side 22 by hairpins. The idlers 252 are rotatablycarried on the shafts 254 by bearing members (not shown). in order thatthe belt M4 in its return movement remains in proper alignmentthroughout its entire length, a pair of substantially upright sideidlers 266 are positioned on opposite sides of the conveyor belt Md andengage the side edges thereof. The side idlers 26b are rotatably carriedon shafts 262 which are rigidly welded to the rods 22%. Preferably theside idlers 26ft are positioned closely adjacent the horizontal returnidlers 252. The idler assemblies the side idlers 264D, and the returnidlers 252, are all easily detached and mounted on the frame A by theuse of hairpins. This not only facilitates removal and mounting of a newconveyor belt M4 upon the apparatus Zil, but it also facilitates theremoval of worn idlers and the mounting of new idlers on the apparatus.Still further, this mounting enhances machine operation because thenonrigid mounting enables the conveyor assembly C to generally withstandshocks and general hard use.

Desirably, scrapers (not shown) are used to clean the belt and preventthe buildup of contamination. The carrying side of the belt is firstscraped shortly after the concrete mix is discharged. Scrapers are alsoadvantageously provided to clean the inside surface of the belt and toclean the rollers at opposite ends of the conveyor belt M4.

Referring to FlGS. l and 7- the details of the movable plow assembly Dwill be described in detail. A belt scraper 2664i is rigidly mountedupon a movable carriage 266. The carriage 266 includes a motor sideplate 268 which tapers downwardly over the side members 22. The oppositeside of the carriage 266 includes a downwardly tapered side plate 270similar to the side plate 268. Both sideplates 268 and 270 extendcompletely over the side members 22. A pair of rigid upright side guides272 are mounted on the side plate 270 and extend upwardly therefrom inorder to guide the concrete mix being diverted from the conveyor belt144. The side plates 272 are mounted on the diagonally and downwardlyextending side plate 270 by a pair of rigid upright members 276 whichare removably bolted to the upper side of side plate 270. The uppersurface of the side plate 270 and the side guides 272 define a funnelfor receiving concrete mix passing from the conveyor belt 144 and forguiding the mix to the place of ulti mate use.

An upright motor mounting plate 278 is rigidly secured to the diagonalside plate 268 and a drive or gear motor reducer set 280 is rigidlymounted on the outer side of the mounting plate 278. A sprocket 282 isrigidly secured to the drive shaft 284 of the motor set 280 in order toprovide powerized movement of the carriage 266 along the side members22. The sprocket 282 engages a link chain 283 which is received withinthe channel 48 and is anchored at its opposite ends. The sprocket 282 byengaging the fixed chain 283 causes the plow D to traverse the frame 20.ldlcr rollers 286 are rotatably mounted on the side plates 268 and 270,through brackets 288, so that in response to the movement of thesprocket 282, the carriage assembly 266 readily traverses along the sidemembers 22 so that the plow assembly D may be moved to any desiredlocation relative to the elongated frame A.

The movable carriage 266 includes leading and trailing horizontal idlerrollers 290 and 292 for supporting the belt conveyor 144 in asubstantially flattened condition as the belt 14 moves into position forremoval of concrete therefrom at the area of the scraper 264. Each ofthe rollers 290 and 292 is rotatably carried by support blocks 294rigidly secured in pairs to the upper side of the side plates 268 and270. A pair of side idlers 296 are also rotatably mounted adjacent theidlers 290 and 292 in order to assure lateral alignment of the conveyorbelt 144 relative to the guide rollers 290 and 292. By flattening thebelt conveyor 144 as the concrete mix is removed therefrom, there isassurance that substantially all of the concrete will be removed fromthe belt and the concrete mix will remain in the desired mixed conditionwith substantially no undesirable separation of aggregate in theconcrete slurry. After the roller 290, running perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the belt, has levelled the belt, a supporting bar291 mounted parallel to and in front of the scraper blade, supports thebelt 144 from below with an even pressure along the entire line of thescraper. With this bar in a consistent parallel position to the plow, aneven pressure plane is obtained for the plow scraper blade 302 againstthe belt. Thus, a true plane of pressure is obtained with no highpressure points.

The scraper 264 is secured in a position diagonal of the longitudinalaxis of the conveyor belt 144. The scraper 264 is secured on one side toan upright support plate 298 which is welded to the upper surface of theside plate 268 of the carriage 266. The opposite side of the diagonallymounted plow is secured to a bracket 300 which, in turn, is removablysecured to the upright side guide 272.

The scraper 264 is shaped, in cross section, substantially as asemicircle. This particular construction is important in order to assistin maintaining the concrete mix in a proper mixture without separationof the aggregate from the concrete slurry. It is important to provide ahardened lower scraper blade 302 which is flat and engages the uppersurface of the conveyor belt 144. The blade 302 is removably secured tothe semicircular portion of the scraper blade assembly 264. The scraperblade 302 is positioned approximately at a 15 angle to the upper side ofthe belt. This angle provides a natural lifting to the concrete mix asit enters the pocket formed in the scraper 264 and substantiallyeliminates pressure which naturally develops at the point of contactbetween the belt and the scraper caused by the weight of the concrete.The concrete that is lifted off of the belt 144 by the blade and intothe pocket of the scraper then flows into the discharge port or funnelformed by the guide members 272.

Although it is believed that the operation of the described apparatus 20is apparent from the foregoing description, a brief explanation of theoperation will be provided for a full understanding of the invention.Although it is conceivable that a plurality of the concrete conveyors 20may be used in tandem arrangement, that is, a plow assembly D on oneapparatus 20 may be raised a sufficient height to discharge concrete mixinto the hopper assembly B of another apparatus 20 or directly onto thebelt 144, the following explanation will describe the apparatus 20 onlyin use as a single unit.

When it is desired to use the concrete conveyor apparatus 20 for pouringconcrete in the foundation of a building, at a dam site, or the like,the entire conveyor apparatus may be moved along the ground by theoperator causing the drive sets 118 on each of the wheel assemblies 74and 78 to drive the wheels 104 to provide powerized movement of theapparatus 20 to the desired location. Because of the swivel connection102 between the frame A and the hopper wheel assembly 74 and 76, one endof the frame A may be moved independent of the other end of the frame,so that the hopper end 76 of the frame A may be positioned at a locationaccessible to receiving the concrete, such as a place where readymixconcrete trucks pour concrete into the hopper B. The other end of theapparatus 20 may be located where the concrete may be discharged fromthe plow assembly D to the desired place of use.

After the apparatus 20 has been moved to the desired location with thehopper end 76 and the outer end in the desired general location, theoperator then adjusts the desired location of the movable plow assemblyD on the frame A. The operator operates the drive set 280 to drive thesprocket 282 and thereby cause the movable carriage 266 to traverse theelongated side members 22 until the plow assembly D is at the desiredlocation for directing concrete to a desired place of ultimate use. Whenthe hopper assembly B and the plow assembly D have been placed in thedesired location, ready-mix concrete trucks may pour large quantities ofconcrete into the hopper assembly B. The hopper B is constructed tostore relatively large quantities of concrete therein so that acontinuous supply of concrete is assured for passage to the conveyor C.There is assurance, therefore, that the hopper supply control gate willmaintain a continuous flow of concrete to the belt. At the area of thehopper B, the conveyor belt 144 moves about the drive roller 176 in asubstantially horizontal position, but immediately is moved into asubstantially U-shape by contact with the substantially U-shaped rollerassembly 238 at a position below the open lower end 136 of the hopper B.By providing a wide open upper end 134 and the relatively small open end136, the contact area between the belt 144 and the concrete in thehopper is relatively small so that the power requirements for the driveassembly is minimized. In other words, the belt 144 does not support theentire weight of the concrete mix within the hopper. If more concrete isdesired to be placed into the hopper, the gate 146 is adjusted upwardlyalong the front wall 142 of the hopper.

The concrete on the conveyor belt 144 is maintained in place thereinwithout substantially any spillage because of the U-shape of theconveyor until it moves into the area of the plow assembly D. Thecombination of the belt shape and the frame sides and ends also providesprotection of the moving concrete from wind interference. The beltconveyor 144 is then moved into a substantially flat condition betweenthe leading and trailing horizontal rollers 290 and 292 carried on themovable carriage 266. Because of the relatively fast movement of thebelt, there is substantially no spilling of the concrete mix in theshort space during which the belt is flat before the concrete isintercepted by the scraper blade.

llll

The concrete, intercepted by the scraper blade 3692, is again mixedwithin the pocket formed in the scraper 2nd before it is dischargedthrough the chute or funnel formed by the side guides 272 laterally ofthe carriage 2%. The concrete is then directed to the place of ultimateuse.

After the belt passes the horizontal trailing roller 292, it may againbe moved into a substantially U-shape because all the roller assemblies238 supporting the belt in its operating position between the driveroller 1176 and the idler roller ll7li are the U-shaped assemblies 238.The belt passes around the idler roller R78 and is moved to the startingposition back at the hopper B. During this return movement, the belt M4passes over the horizontal idler rollers 252 and the lateral movement ofthe belt Md is maintained at a minimum by the side idlers 26f).

While in the foregoing there has been provided a detailed description ofa particular embodiment of the present invention, it is to be understoodthat all equivalents obvious to those having skill in the art are to beincluded within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

ll. Apparatus for continuously conveying a fluid mass, such as concretemitt, from a first location to a second location, said apparatuscomprising, in combination, an elongated support frame, movable beltmeans for continuously conveying said mass along a path of travel fromsaid first location to said second location, support assemblies for saidbelt means, cooperating means on said frame and on said assemblies foradjustably mounting said assemblies on said frame, means on said framefor diverting spilled portions of said fluid mass therefrom, meanspositioned on said support frame for con tinuously diverting said massfrom said path of travel to said second location, a cooperating means onsaid frame and on said diverting means for driving said diverting meansto a desired location on said frame, a rigid hopper, a frame end memberslidably mounted on said support frame and carrying said hopper topermit relative adjustment of said hopper longitudinally of said frame,and cooperating means on said hopper and on said frame for locking saidhopper in place on said frame.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a fluid cylinder is mounted betweensaid support frame and said end member for adjusting the relativelongitudinal position of said end member on said support frame.

3, The apparatus of claim 2 wherein drive means are mounted on said endmember for operating said belt means.

4. Apparatus for continuously conveying concrete mix, from a firstlocation to a second location, said apparatus comprising, incombination, an elongated support frame having rigidly interconnected,spaced upright side frame members, said side frame members being definedby an upper hollow section, a lower hollow section below said uppersection, and a substantially planar section interconnecting said hollowsections, said sections cooperating to provide reduced frame weight withenhanced torsional strength for said side members, said upper sectionterminating in an inwardly inclined flange and having a top surfaceadjacent said flange inclined downwardly and outwardly to cause concretecontacting said section to fall away from the apparatus and movable beltmeans mounted on said support frame for conveying said mix from saidfirst location to said second location.

5. Apparatus of claim 3 in which said inclined flange contains openingsspaced along the length thereof.

6. Apparatus of claim 5 including a series of three roller supports forsaid movable belt, each comprising a central horizontal shaft, a rolleron said shaft, and a pair of U-shaped support shafts pivotally connectedto the opposed ends of said central shaft near the curved portionthereof, a roller mounted on the leg ofsaid U-shaped shaft nearest saidcentral shaft, the other leg of said U-shaped shaft being disposed inone of the openings in said inclined flange, whereby said belt isnonrigidly supported from said side frame members with its opposed edgesturned up to form a trough.

7. Apparatus of claim 6 in which said rollers on the U- shaped shaftterminate in a circumferential flange which serves as a stop for theedge of said belt.

8. Apparatus of claim 5 including a frame end member having sidewallsslidably mounted on said side frame members, openings spaced along saidsidewalls, and pin means for locking said frame end to said side framemembers through aligned openings in said flanges and said sidewalls.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 including a hopper resting on said frame endmember, said hopper including at least one upwardly and outwardlyslanted wall portion having an opening therein directly over said beltmeans and having a gate member adjustably mounted on said wall forvarying the amount of conveyor belt exposed to the concrete flow and thequantity of the fluid mass being directed onto said belt means.

it). Apparatus of claim 5 including a frame end member slidably mountedon said support frame, said frame end member having sidewalls that matewith the inner surfaces of said side frame members, openings in saidsidewalls which match the openings in said inwardly inclined flange, pinmeans cooperating with said openings for locking said frame end to saidsupport frame by passing the pin through aligned openings in thesidewall and flange, and drive means mounted on said frame end memberincluding a driven roller for said belt means, whereby the tension onsaid belt may be adjusted by sliding said frame end and locking it tosaid support frame.

ill, Apparatus of claim 4i including a carriage having wheels riding onsaid lower hollow sections as rails, to permit moving the carriage alongsaid support frame, and a pair of ground engaging wheels pivotallyconnected to said carriage to support said apparatus and facilitatemoving it over the ground.

t2. Apparatus of claim it in which said wheels are adjustably mounted topermit raising and lowering the apparatus with respect to the ground.

113. Apparatus of claim ill in which one of said wheels is driven by amotor and drive assembly mounted thereon.

M. Apparatus of claim 5 including plow means movable along the length ofthe support frame and in which said upper hollow section has alongitudinal channel formed in the underside thcreof, a link chainfixedly mounted in said channel, a carriage for said plow means havingwheels riding on the surface of said lower hollow section, drive meanscarried by the carriage including a sprocket cooperating with said chainto drive said plow along the apparatus.

115. Apparatus of claim l4 including an electrical cable disposed in oneof said hollow sections to carry power to said drive means.

to. Apparatus of claim 4 which includes a frame end member slidablymounted on said support frame, a roller rotatably mounted on said frameend for driving said belt, drive means carried entirely by said frameend for driving said roller, and means for locking said frame end tosaid support frame, whereby the tension on said belt may be adjustedsolely by sliding said frame end to move said roller, and locking theframe end to said support frame.

H7. The apparatus of claim 116 including a hydraulic cylinder interposedbetween said support frame and said slidable frame end member to assistin adjusting tension on said belt.

ll The apparatus of claim lid wherein said drive means includes a motordetachably connected to said frame end by means of manually removablepins.

119. The apparatus of claim 4 including a first frame end portionslidably mounted at one end of said elongated frame, a second slidlableframe end portion mounted at the other end of said frame, roller membersfor supporting said belt means mounted on each of said slidable endportions and drive means mounted on one of said frame end portions todrive the belt.

20. Apparatus of claim t which includes a concrete distributingattachment, drive means coacting with said attachment and said supportframe including a longitudinal channel formed in the underside of saidupper hollow section, a link chain fixedly mounted in said channel, anda sprocket connected to said drive means and meshed with said chain toproduce relative motion between the conveyor and the attachment.

21. Apparatus of claim 4 including plow means, including a scraperblade, movable along the length of the support frame, a carriage forsaid plow means having wheels riding on one of said hollow sections, anda support bar carried by said carriage and extending beneath the movablebelt means in front of said plow to support the belt.

22. A concrete conveyor comprising an elongated support frame havingrigidly interconnected spaced upright side frame members, said sideframe members being defined by an upper hollow section, a lower hollowsection below said upper section and a substantially planar sectioninterconnecting said hollow sections, said upper section being generallytriangular in shape and having a top surface inclined downwardly andoutwardly to shed concrete that falls on the frame member, the innerwall of said upper hollow section terminating in a flange projectingupwardly and inwardly, a frame end member slidably mounted on each endof said support frame over said flanges, a belt pulley rotatably mountedon each said end frame member, a conveyor belt trained on said pulleys,drive means mounted on one of said frame end members to drive the pulleythereon, and means on said flanges and the adjacent portion of said endframe for locking the frame to the flange.

1. Apparatus for continuously conveying a fluid mass, such as concretemix, from a first location to a second location, said apparatuscomprising, in combination, an elongated support frame, movable beltmeans for continuously conveying said mass along a path of travel fromsaid first location to said second location, support assemblies for saidbelt means, cooperating means on said frame and on said assemblies foradjustably mounting said assemblies on said frame, means on said framefor diverting spilled portions of said fluid mass therefrom, meanspositioned on said support frame for continuously diverting said massfrom said path of travel to said second location, a cooperating means onsaid frame and on said diverting means for driving said diverting meansto a desired location on said frame, a rigid hopper, a frame end memberslidably mounted on said support frame and carrying said hopper topermit relative adjustment of said hopper longitudinally of said frame,and cooperating means on said hopper and on said frame for locking saidhopper in place on said frame.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein afluid cylinder is mounted between said support frame and said end memberfor adjusting the relative longitudinal position of said end member onsaid support frame.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein drive means aremounted on said end member for operating said belt means.
 4. Apparatusfor continuously conveying concrete mix, from a first location to asecond location, said apparatus comprising, in combination, an elongatedsupport frame having rigidly interconnected, spaced upright side framemembers, said side frame members being defined by an upper hollowsection, a lower hollow section below said upper section, and asubstantially planar section interconnecting said hollow sections, saidsections cooperating to provide reduced frame weight with enhancedtorsional strength for said side members, said upper section terminatingin an inwardly inclined flange and having a top surface adjacent saidflange inclined downwardly and outwardly to cause concrete contactingsaid section to fall away from the apparatus and movable belt meansmounted on said support frame for conveying said mix from said firstlocation to said second location.
 5. Apparatus of claim 4 in which saidinclined flange contains openings spaced along the length tHereof. 6.Apparatus of claim 5 including a series of three roller supports forsaid movable belt, each comprising a central horizontal shaft, a rolleron said shaft, and a pair of U-shaped support shafts pivotally connectedto the opposed ends of said central shaft near the curved portionthereof, a roller mounted on the leg of said U-shaped shaft nearest saidcentral shaft, the other leg of said U-shaped shaft being disposed inone of the openings in said inclined flange, whereby said belt isnonrigidly supported from said side frame members with its opposed edgesturned up to form a trough.
 7. Apparatus of claim 6 in which saidrollers on the U-shaped shaft terminate in a circumferential flangewhich serves as a stop for the edge of said belt.
 8. Apparatus of claim5 including a frame end member having sidewalls slidably mounted on saidside frame members, openings spaced along said sidewalls, and pin meansfor locking said frame end to said side frame members through alignedopenings in said flanges and said sidewalls.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8including a hopper resting on said frame end member, said hopperincluding at least one upwardly and outwardly slanted wall portionhaving an opening therein directly over said belt means and having agate member adjustably mounted on said wall for varying the amount ofconveyor belt exposed to the concrete flow and the quantity of the fluidmass being directed onto said belt means.
 10. Apparatus of claim 5including a frame end member slidably mounted on said support frame,said frame end member having sidewalls that mate with the inner surfacesof said side frame members, openings in said sidewalls which match theopenings in said inwardly inclined flange, pin means cooperating withsaid openings for locking said frame end to said support frame bypassing the pin through aligned openings in the sidewall and flange, anddrive means mounted on said frame end member including a driven rollerfor said belt means, whereby the tension on said belt may be adjusted bysliding said frame end and locking it to said support frame. 11.Apparatus of claim 4 including a carriage having wheels riding on saidlower hollow sections as rails, to permit moving the carriage along saidsupport frame, and a pair of ground engaging wheels pivotally connectedto said carriage to support said apparatus and facilitate moving it overthe ground.
 12. Apparatus of claim 11 in which said wheels areadjustably mounted to permit raising and lowering the apparatus withrespect to the ground.
 13. Apparatus of claim 11 in which one of saidwheels is driven by a motor and drive assembly mounted thereon. 14.Apparatus of claim 5 including plow means movable along the length ofthe support frame and in which said upper hollow section has alongitudinal channel formed in the underside thereof, a link chainfixedly mounted in said channel, a carriage for said plow means havingwheels riding on the surface of said lower hollow section, drive meanscarried by the carriage including a sprocket cooperating with said chainto drive said plow along the apparatus.
 15. Apparatus of claim 14including an electrical cable disposed in one of said hollow sections tocarry power to said drive means.
 16. Apparatus of claim 4 which includesa frame end member slidably mounted on said support frame, a rollerrotatably mounted on said frame end for driving said belt, drive meanscarried entirely by said frame end for driving said roller, and meansfor locking said frame end to said support frame, whereby the tension onsaid belt may be adjusted solely by sliding said frame end to move saidroller, and locking the frame end to said support frame.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 16 including a hydraulic cylinder interposed betweensaid support frame and said slidable frame end member to assist inadjusting tension on said belt.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16 whereinsaid drive means includes a motor detachably connected to said frame endby meaNs of manually removable pins.
 19. The apparatus of claim 4including a first frame end portion slidably mounted at one end of saidelongated frame, a second slidable frame end portion mounted at theother end of said frame, roller members for supporting said belt meansmounted on each of said slidable end portions and drive means mounted onone of said frame end portions to drive the belt.
 20. Apparatus of claim4 which includes a concrete distributing attachment, drive meanscoacting with said attachment and said support frame including alongitudinal channel formed in the underside of said upper hollowsection, a link chain fixedly mounted in said channel, and a sprocketconnected to said drive means and meshed with said chain to producerelative motion between the conveyor and the attachment.
 21. Apparatusof claim 4 including plow means, including a scraper blade, movablealong the length of the support frame, a carriage for said plow meanshaving wheels riding on one of said hollow sections, and a support barcarried by said carriage and extending beneath the movable belt means infront of said plow to support the belt.
 22. A concrete conveyorcomprising an elongated support frame having rigidly interconnectedspaced upright side frame members, said side frame members being definedby an upper hollow section, a lower hollow section below said uppersection and a substantially planar section interconnecting said hollowsections, said upper section being generally triangular in shape andhaving a top surface inclined downwardly and outwardly to shed concretethat falls on the frame member, the inner wall of said upper hollowsection terminating in a flange projecting upwardly and inwardly, aframe end member slidably mounted on each end of said support frame oversaid flanges, a belt pulley rotatably mounted on each said end framemember, a conveyor belt trained on said pulleys, drive means mounted onone of said frame end members to drive the pulley thereon, and means onsaid flanges and the adjacent portion of said end frame for locking theframe to the flange.